Verizon subsidized HP Mini 1000 coming next week?

Verizon Wireless is reportedly planning to start selling the HP Mini 1000 at a discount to customers who sign up for a long term service plan starting on May 17th. The model will apparently actually be an HP Mini 1151NR, but that’s just because HP likes to give each slight variation of the HP Mini 1000 a different model number. Basically, this machine will be a typical HP netbook with an integrated 3G modem. Of course, typical is in the eye of the beholder, since the HP Mini comes in a variety of configurations. But the HP web site describes this model as having a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 576 pixel display, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth. It weighs 2.45 pounds and comes with a 3 cell battery.

You can already pick up an HP Mini 1000 from HP and configure it with an integrated 3G modem. But once Verizon starts carrying the netbook you’ll be able to get it cheaper. Sort of. While the final pricing hasn’t been set, you’ll probably be able to get the netbook itself for $100 to $200 off list price. But you’ll most likely have to sign up for a 2 year wireless service contract to get that price. And that could set you back as much as $1440 over the course of two years.